The Fog Dodgers invite all residents and visitors of the Mendocino Coast to join us on our weekly group runs and walks. We have runners and walkers of all abilities (and even some bikers) and we have only one "rule" - we start at exactly 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. Exercise at your own pace (1/2 hour out, 1/2 hour back) and experience the fresh Mendocino coastal air.

Fog Dodgers provides a fun, safe way to explore some of our local trails and back roads and to meet new friends. You can find out where we're going to be by reading the bottom of last week's post, then clicking on the "Our Routes" tab above. We average 15-20 persons each Sunday and typically half will go to breakfast together afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

Sunday, March 27, 2016

CASPAR LOGGING ROAD

J. Loomis photo


It was beautiful Spring morning!  At our 8:00 start, it was 52 degrees, clear and calm, the kind of a morning that makes you want to look for brightly colored eggs along the roadway and surprises hanging from the branches.   And so, at exactly 8, off all 18...  of us went, with plastic bags in our hands, in search of eggs and treats.  Congratulations to Nancy B., for finding the Golden Egg!

Caspar barn, J. Loomis photo
Cheryl, Neil really was with us last week, even though I failed to mention it.  Neil was with us again this morning, along with:  Fran, Nancy B., Rick, Jan, Joe, Bob, Joel, Shari, Peter, Bruce, Charlene, Ron, John, Orah, Steve, Nancy and Tom (18).

Caspar Duck Pond, J. Loomis photo
Nine of us enjoyed breakfast at David's, where Kira greeted us with bunny ears on and handing out candy!
   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL - NORTH

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD @ 8:00 A.M.:  VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach parking lot.


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS, 7:00 A.M.,  beginning at the Duck Pond, Fern Cr. Road and Hwy. One, Caspar.


Sunday, March 20, 2016

POMO BLUFFS PARK - NOYO BAY

Noyo Bay, J. Loomis photo

Like last week, it was raining again as we met.  I'm told though, that it rained more last week.   Today, there was a 10 or 15 minute period where it came down pretty hard and the wind really kicked up.  Unfortunately, those 10 or 15 minutes came when we were furthest away and had turned back, walking into the wind.  Of those "intrepids" from last week, only three were daring enough to have another go at it.

USCG Noyo Bay, J. Loomis photo

Present this morning:  Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, Mary, Jeff (at least his second appearance), John, Nancy and Tom (9).  Seven of us enjoyed breakfast at David's and were joined by Sheila and Jamie.

Spring is here and J. Loomis shows an example
and another example, thank you John for the photos

SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 27,  8:00 A.M.: CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, see "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS, 7:00 A.M.,  beginning at the Duck Pond, Fern Cr. Road and Hwy. One, Caspar.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Big River

Seals enjoying the rain - Big River
It was raining, in fact we've had nearly 11" so far in March!  The rain brought out only the most intrepid.  Worse than the rain, are all the pot-holes the rain has created on the road (he says euphemistically), really requiring a hummer to reach the parking area.

The daring souls (maybe another euphemism) were Joel, John, Nancy T. Roger, Charlene and Ron, a total of 6!

Even going for a swim
However, it was only raining lightly and the temperature was mild.  It wasn't even windy (was this really Big River), so off we went.  Only 10 minutes into the walk we were halted by a landslide and a large trees across the road.  Looking UP at some of the boulders that had been dislodged, discretion became the better part of valor. We decided to turn around, however, Joel continued past the slide - and did he return?  Several people decided to continue to run or walk along Big River towards the bridge, but Nancy and I decided it was time to go have some breakfast.  

Once again thanks to John for pictures of seals, who really don't seem to mind the rain.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH, POMO BLUFFS PARK- NOYO BAY  
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE

NEXT SUNDAY, March 20th @ 8:00 A.M.: Pomo Bluffs Park- Noyo Bay
EVERY TUESDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.
EVERY THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Russian Gulch State Park


We had a great run and walk today with a total of 19 Fog Dodgers. We had seven runners and 12 walkers. We had the benefit of bright blue skies and huge waves. Some ran down the hill, which was blocked by a gate. I'd never seen a closed gate at Russian Gulch before. No one was there, except a Park Ranger and us. The group split up into different routes. Some of us went out along the bluffs and then checked out the blow hole, which was completely filled with ocean waves shoving in large quantities of salt water. Some of us walked down the hill, clambering over the gate and down to the beach, where there wasn't much of a beach. The creek was full with muddy water clashing with the waves. Six of us went to David's and had a great time. Bruce and Susan, who had walked their dog somewhere else, joined us for breakfast.

High waves crashing on the bluffs. 
Photo taken by Shari Lyon

 
High waves come in one after the other.
Photo by Shari Lyon



 The Blow Hole, which is completely filled with water by the huge waves. 
 Photo by Shari Lyon

       
A view of the ocean from the gulch of Russian Gulch.
Photo by Toni Rizzo


SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH, POMO BLUFFS PARK- NOYO BAY  
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE


NEXT SUNDAY, 3/13/16 @ 8:00 A.M.: Big River Logging Road

EVERY TUESDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

EVERY THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.